Portable cooler container with shelf assembly

ABSTRACT

A portable cooler container that includes a thermally insulated cooler base and a shelf upon which objects may rest externally of the cooler without interfering with opening and closing of the cooler. The shelf may be stationary or movable between stowed and extended positions with respect to the cooler container. The shelf may also be adjustable so as to adjust its angle relative to a ground surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/018,819 filed Jun. 30, 2014 entitled “Cooler Caddy,”the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a portable cooler containerwith a shelf upon which objects may rest externally of the coolerwithout interfering with opening and closing of the cooler lid/door.There is a natural tendency to place foodstuffs, beverages and otherobjects atop an upwardly opening lid of a cooler container for easyaccess and to prevent such objects from touching the ground where theymight become soiled and fall prey to insects and other pests. However,when placed on the cooler lid such objects interfere with access to thecooler. Thus, they have to be removed from the top of the cooler beforeone can gain access to the interior of the cooler to fetch food andbeverages from the cooler.

Further, the present invention relates e.g., to the field of coolers andmore specifically relates to a line of portable ice chests with anincorporated shelf/cutting board on the side of the unit to provideoutdoor enthusiasts with a more convenient alternative to standard foodand beverage coolers that permits non-cumbersome storage and work space.The foregoing eliminates the use of the cooler lid for storage and workspace, giving the user easy access to opening the cooler lid withouthaving to remove anything from it.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first preferred embodiment the present inventionprovides a portable cooler container comprising a thermally insulatedcooler base including a bottom wall, side walls extending from thebottom wall, a rear wall extending from the bottom wall, a first frontwall extending from the bottom wall, a top wall extending from the firstfront wall, and a second front wall extending from the top wall formingan opening with the side walls and the rear wall. The cooler containerfurther includes a lid connected to the thermally insulated cooler basefor covering the opening.

In accordance with a second preferred embodiment the present inventionprovides a portable cooler container and shelf assembly comprising athermally insulated cooler base having an interior space for retainingfood and beverage items, a lid connected to the thermally insulatedcooler base for enclosing the interior space, and a shelf assembly. Theshelf assembly includes a shelf connectable to the thermally insulatedcooler base and movable between an extended position and a stowedposition, a hinge connected to an upper portion of the thermallyinsulated cooler base connecting a proximal end of the shelf to thethermally insulated cooler base, and an extendable bracket e.g., afoldable knee bracket, connected to the thermally insulated cooler basefor supporting the shelf in the extended position.

In accordance with a third preferred embodiment the present inventionprovides a portable cooler container and shelf assembly comprising athermally insulated cooler base having an interior space for retainingfood and beverage items and a retractable handle assembly mounted to anexterior of the thermally insulated cooler base. The portable coolercontainer and shelf assembly further includes a shelf movable between astowed position and a use position. The shelf includes a planar bodyhaving a detent for releasably mounting to the retractable handle in theuse position. The portable cooler container and shelf assemblyadditionally includes a lid connected to the thermally insulated coolerbase for enclosing the interior space. The lid includes a recess forreceiving the shelf in the stowed position and a receiving detent forreleasably securing the shelf within the recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable cooler container inaccordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a portable cooler container of FIG. 1in accordance with an alternate aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a partial perspective of a portable cooler container of FIG.1 in accordance with another alternate aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable cooler container and shelfassembly in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention with a shelf in an extended operative position;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a portable cooler container and shelfassembly of FIG. 2 in accordance with an alternate aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portable cooler container and shelfassembly of FIG. 2 with the shelf thereof in a stowed inoperativeposition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portable cooler container and shelfassembly in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the presentinvention with a shelf thereof in a stowed inoperative position;

FIG. 5 is a schematic top plan view of the portable cooler container andshelf assembly of FIG. 4 with the shelf thereof in an extended operativeposition;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the portable coolercontainer and shelf assembly taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic front elevation view of the portable coolercontainer of FIG. 4 with the shelf in a stowed inoperative positionwithin an undersurface of the cooler container lid;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portable cooler container and shelfassembly in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a mounding bracket ofthe portable cooler container and shelf assembly of FIGS. 8; and

FIG. 9A is a side view of an adjustment member of the portable coolercontainer and shelf assembly of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of theinvention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible,the same or like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawingsto refer to the same or like features. It should be noted that thedrawings are in simplified form and are not drawn to precise scale. Inreference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience andclarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, above, below anddiagonal, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. The term“proximal” shall mean towards the center of the cooler. The term“distal” shall mean away from the center of the cooler. Such directionalterms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawingsshould not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in anymanner not explicitly set forth.

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “lower” and “upper”designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Thewords “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and awayfrom, respectively, the geometric center of the identified element anddesignated parts thereof. Additionally, the term “a,” as used in thespecification, means “at least one.” The terminology includes the wordsnoted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, the present inventionprovides a portable cooler container 10 as configured in FIG. 1 andincludes a thermally insulated cooler base 12. The cooler base includesa bottom wall 14 and side walls 16, 18 extending from the bottom wall.Similarly, a rear wall 20 and a first front wall 22 each extend from thebottom wall. A top wall 24 extends rearwardly from the first front wall,and a second front wall 26 extends upwardly from the top wall forming anopening 28 with the side walls and the rear wall. The top wall 24extends between the side walls 16, 18 and rearwardly from the firstfront wall 22 substantially parallel to the bottom wall 14. The secondfront wall 26 is positioned above and rearwardly of the first front wall22.

The bottom wall is preferably rectangular in shape, but canalternatively be configured as any other suitable shape e.g., square,round, octagon, trapezoidal and the like. When the bottom wall isconfigured to have a shape other than a square or rectangular shape,e.g., round, octagonal or trapezoidal, the other walls of the coolerbase are correspondingly configured to form the cooler base. However, ineach configuration, the cooler base is configured with an opening formedby the walls which is to be covered by an openable lid, and a top wallsimilar to top wall 24 that is substantially parallel with the bottomwall.

As shown in FIG. 1, the side walls 16, 18, rear wall 20 and first frontwall 22 each extend perpendicularly from the bottom wall 14. Moreover,the top wall 24 extends transverse to the first front wall and the sidewalls. The top wall 24 serves as a shelf that a user can use to placeitems on while leaving a lid 30 free of items such that the lid can beopened and closed without interference from items placed on top thereof.The second front wall 26 extends perpendicularly from the bottom wall14.

The portable cooler container further includes lid 30 connected to thethermally insulated cooler base 12 for covering the opening 28. The lidis preferably attached to the cooler base along its rear wall. Moreover,the lid is positioned rearwardly of the top wall 24 and rearwardly ofthe first front wall 22. That is, the entire lid is spaced from thefirst front wall.

The side walls 16, 18, rear wall 20 and first front wall 22 circumscribethe bottom wall and define a first interior volume of the cooler. Asecond interior volume is defined by the side walls and rear wall incombination with the second front wall 26. The second interior volume issmaller than the first interior volume and, collectively, the first andsecond interior volumes combine to form the overall interior volume ofthe cooler base.

In accordance with an aspect of the present embodiment, the portablecooler container 10 further includes a shelf 32 mounted to the top wall24 which projects from the second front wall 26. The shelf can be usedas a storage space or work space, such as a cutting board. The shelf 32can optionally include an upwardly directed lip 34 extending along aperimeter of the shelf for preventing foodstuffs, beverages and otherobjects from falling or sliding from the shelf.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present embodiment, as shownin FIG. 1A, a shelf 32′ can be adjustably mounted to the top wall 24.For example, the shelf 32′ can be pivotably mounted to the second frontwall 26 and be configured with an adjustment member 36 about a front endof the shelf 32′ to adjust a level of the shelf relative to a groundsurface. Thus, if the portable cooler container 10 is placed on a groundsurface that is not completely horizontal, the shelf 32′ can be adjustedto a level that is more horizontal or completely horizontal via theadjustment member 36.

Referring to FIG. 1B, in accordance with a yet further aspect of thepresent embodiment, the top wall 24 can be completely omitted and theportable cooler container can be configured with the shelf 32′ describedabove. The shelf 32′ can also be configured as a secondary lid forcovering a second opening 28′ of the cooler base defined by the sidewalls 16, 18, first front wall 22 and rear wall 20. This way, thesecondary lid allows additional access to the portable cooler containerincluding the space directly below the secondary lid.

According to a second preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, thepresent invention provides a portable cooler container and shelfassembly 110 comprising a thermally insulated cooler base 112 definingan interior space for retaining food and beverage items, a lid 130connected to the thermally insulated cooler base for enclosing theinterior space and a shelf assembly 131.

The shelf assembly includes a shelf 132 connectable to the thermallyinsulated cooler base and movable between an operative extended position(FIG. 2) and an inoperative stowed position (FIG. 3). A hinge 136 isconnected to an upper portion of the thermally insulated cooler base andconnects a proximal end of the shelf to the thermally insulated coolerbase. At least one extendable bracket 138 is connected to the thermallyinsulated cooler base for supporting the shelf in the extended position.Preferably, the extendable bracket is an extendable foldable kneebracket and the shelf assembly 131 preferably includes a pair ofextendable foldable knee brackets connected to respective side walls116, 118 of the thermally insulated cooler base 112 at opposite ends ofthe shelf 132 for providing stable support for the shelf when disposedin the extended position.

The shelf 132 preferably includes a main body portion 132 a having awidth larger than a width of the thermally insulated cooler base 112,and lateral extensions 132 b extending from the main body portiondefining a space therebetween for receiving the thermally insulatedcooler base such that the lateral extensions 132 b extend along thelateral sides of the cooler base.

In accordance with an aspect of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.2A, the extendable bracket 138 is an adjustable extendable bracket 138′,such that the overall height or angle in which the adjustable extendablebracket supports the shelf 132 can be adjusted. That is, the adjustableextendable bracket 138′ can adjust the angle of the shelf 132 relativeto the lid 130. For example, the adjustable extendable bracket 138′ canadjust the positon of the lid between first, second and third positions.Thus, when the portable cooler container 110 is placed on anon-horizontal ground surface, the adjustable extendable bracket 138′can compensate and adjust the angle of the shelf 132 to create asubstantially horizontal or more level plane for the placement of itemsthereon.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the shelf assembly 131 can further include aretractable anti-tipping support 140 which may assume the form of one ormore foldable legs that provide stability to the portable coolercontainer and shelf assembly 110 when the legs are disposed in adownwardly extended position. That is, anti-tipping support 140 preventsthe cooler container from tipping forwardly due to the weight of objectsresting atop the shelf 132. When it is desired to place the shelf 132 inthe stowed position (as shown in FIG. 3) the legs of the anti-tippingsupport 140 are pivoted upwardly against the shelf, and the extendablebracket(s) 138 are folded accordingly such that the shelf may pivotdownwardly into its inoperative stowed position.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate a third preferred embodiment of a portable coolercontainer and shelf assembly 210 constructed in accordance with thepresent invention. Portable cooler container and shelf assembly 210includes a thermally insulated generally rectangular cooler base 212including an interior space for retaining food and beverage items. Theinterior space is defined by a plurality of walls forming a closedbottom and an open top. That is, the cooler base includes a bottom wall214 and side walls 216, 218 extending from the bottom wall. Similarly, arear wall 220 and a front wall 222 extend from the bottom wall.

A lid 230 is connected to the thermally insulated cooler base forenclosing the interior space of the cooler base and storing a shelf 232when the shelf is in a stowed position, as further described below.Referring to FIG. 7, the lid 230 includes a recess 246 sized and shapedfor receiving the shelf 232 in the stowed position. The lid alsoincludes at least one receiving detent 248 for releasably securing theshelf within the recess. Preferably, the lid includes four receivingdetents. Alternatively to detents the lid can be configured with clipsor brackets for releasably receiving the shelf 232.

The cooler container 210 also includes a retractable handle assembly 242mounted to an exterior of the thermally insulated cooler base 212 tofacilitate a user pulling or traveling with the cooler container.Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the handle assembly 242 comprises a handle 250having a pair of elongated cylindrical members 252 disposed along thefront and rear walls of the cooler base 212.

The shelf 232 is movable between a stowed position and a use position.As shown in FIG. 6, the shelf 232 includes a substantially planar bodyhaving at least one detent 244 provided on an undersurface 245 forreleasably mounting the shelf to the retractable handle assembly 242 inthe use position. Preferably, the shelf includes a pair of spaced apartdetents 244 along its lower surface for releasably engaging each of theelongated cylindrical members 252 forming the handle assembly.

Referring to FIG. 4, the handle assembly 242 preferably includes anoptional anti-tipping support 254 for use when the handle assembly is inan extended position. The anti-tipping support may assume the form ofone or more foldable legs that provide stability to the portable coolercontainer and shelf assembly 210 when the legs are disposed in adownwardly extended position. That is, anti-tipping support 254 preventsthe cooler container from tipping laterally due to the weight of objectsresting atop the shelf 232 or when force is applied to the shelf e.g.,when cutting objects thereon, when it is installed on the extendedelongated cylindrical members 252. When it is desired to place the shelf232 in the stowed position (as shown in FIG. 7), the shelf is liftedupwardly thereby releasing the elongated cylindrical members 252 fromthe shelf detents 244 and the shelf is snapped into position in recess246 in the undersurface of the lid 230 behind detent(s) 248. Thereafter,the legs of the anti-tipping support 254 are folded upwardly against theelongated cylindrical members 252 and the handle 250 is pushed towardthe cooler base 212.

Conversely, when it is desired to place the shelf 232 into its extendedoperative position, handle 250 is pulled away from the cooler base 212to expose the elongated cylindrical members 252. The cooler lid 230 isthen raised and the shelf 232 is pulled free of detent(s) 248.Thereafter, the detents 244 of the shelf 232 are brought into alignmentwith the exposed elongated cylindrical members 252. Once detents 244 arealigned with members 252, downward force is applied to the upper surfaceof the shelf in order to snap the detents 244 into position surroundingthe members 252. The legs of the anti-tipping support 254 may then beswung downwardly to provide stability to the laterally-extended shelf232.

Additionally, the cooler base 212 may be provided with optional wheels256 (FIGS. 4 and 5) secured to the bottom of the rear and front walls220, 222 adjacent side wall 216 to facilitate transport of the portablecooler container and shelf assembly 210 when the handle 250 is in anextended position.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a fourth preferred embodiment of a portablecooler container 310 in accordance with the present invention. Theportable cooler container includes an attachable shelf 332 that canattach e.g., to a front wall of the cooler container. The shelf 332 canremovably attach or mount to the cooler container by a mounting bracketassembly 338. The mounting bracket assembly includes a mounting member338A e.g., a male mounting member, and a mounting support 338B e.g., afemale mounting support, attached to the cooler container wall forreleasably engaging and supporting the mounting member.

The removable shelf 332 can also be configured in size and shape similarto shelf 232 so as to be releasably stowed underneath lid 330. In thisaspect, the lid 330 is also similarly configured to lid 230 so as toreceive the removable shelf 332.

The mounting support 338B can optionally be adjustably attached to thecooler container so as to be adjustable relative to the wall of thecooler container. For example, the mounting support can be configuredwith an adjustment member 338C for adjusting an angle in which the shelf332 is attached to the cooler wall. In this manner, the angle of theshelf 332 can be adjusted accordingly in case the cooler container 310is placed on a ground surface that is not completely horizontal. Inother words, the shelf can be adjusted so as to be horizontal or morelevel even when the cooler container is laid down on an uneven surface.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is to be understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable cooler container comprising: athermally insulated cooler base that includes: a bottom wall, side wallsextending from the bottom wall, a rear wall extending from the bottomwall, a first front wall extending from the bottom wall, a top wallextending from the first front wall, and a second front wall extendingfrom the top wall forming an opening with the side walls and the rearwall; and a lid connected to the thermally insulated cooler base forcovering the opening.
 2. The portable cooler container of claim 1,wherein the side walls, rear wall and first front wall circumscribe anddefine a first interior volume and the side walls, rear wall and secondfront wall circumscribe and define a second interior volume smaller thanthe first interior volume.
 3. The portable cooler container of claim 1,further comprising a shelf mounted to the top wall.
 4. The portablecooler container of claim 3, wherein the shelf includes a lip extendingalong a perimeter of the shelf.
 5. The portable cooler container ofclaim 3, wherein the shelf is pivotably mounted to the thermallyinsulated cooler base.
 6. The portable cooler container of claim 5,further comprising an adjustment member for adjusting a position of theshelf relative to the top wall.
 7. The portable cooler container ofclaim 1, wherein the top wall extends rearwardly from the first frontwall substantially parallel to the bottom wall.
 8. The portable coolercontainer of claim 1, wherein the top wall extends between the sidewalls.
 9. The portable cooler container of claim 1, wherein the secondfront wall is positioned above and rearwardly of the first front wall.10. The portable cooler container of claim 1, wherein the lid ispositioned rearwardly of the top wall.
 11. The portable cooler containerof claim 1, wherein the lid is positioned rearwardly of the first frontwall.
 12. A portable cooler container and shelf assembly comprising: athermally insulated cooler base having an interior space for retainingfood and beverage items; a lid connected to the thermally insulatedcooler base for enclosing the interior space; and a shelf assembly thatincludes: a shelf connectable to the thermally insulated cooler base andmovable between an extended position and a stowed position, a hingeconnected to an upper portion of the thermally insulated cooler baseconnecting a proximal end of the shelf to the thermally insulated coolerbase; and an extendable bracket connected to the thermally insulatedcooler base for supporting the shelf in the extended position.
 13. Theportable cooler container and shelf assembly of claim 12, wherein theshelf assembly includes a pair of foldable knee brackets connected torespective side walls of the thermally insulated cooler base.
 14. Theportable cooler container and shelf assembly of claim 12, wherein theshelf assembly further includes a retractable anti-tipping support. 15.The portable cooler container and shelf assembly of claim 12, whereinthe shelf includes a main body portion having a width larger than awidth of the thermally insulated cooler base, and lateral extensionsextending from the main body portion defining a space therebetween forreceiving the thermally insulated cooler base.
 16. The portable coolercontainer and shelf assembly of claim 12, wherein extendable bracket isan adjustable extendable bracket.
 17. The portable cooler container andshelf assembly of claim 16, wherein adjustable extendable bracketadjusts the position of the shelf relative to the lid between first,second and third positions.
 18. A portable cooler container and shelfassembly comprising: a thermally insulated cooler base having aninterior space for retaining food and beverage items; a retractablehandle assembly mounted to an exterior of the thermally insulated coolerbase; and a shelf movable between a stowed position and a use position,the shelf including a planar body having a detent for releasablymounting to the retractable handle assembly in the use position; and alid connected to the thermally insulated cooler base for enclosing theinterior space, the lid including a recess for receiving the shelf inthe stowed position and a receiving detent for releasably securing theshelf within the recess.
 19. The portable cooler container and shelfassembly of claim 18, wherein the handle assembly comprises a handlehaving a pair of elongated cylindrical members, and wherein the shelfincludes a pair of detents for releasably engaging the pair of elongatedcylindrical members.
 20. The portable cooler container and shelfassembly of claim 18, wherein the handle assembly comprises ananti-tipping support for use when the handle assembly is in an extendedposition.